When I asked Craig Leighton to join us at FriarBasketball.com in the waning days of the summer of 2012, his response was so typically Craig. “I’d love to, but I’m not a writer at all,” he said. “We’ll figure that part out later,” I told him. I didn’t care that he didn’t consider himself a writer, nor did I have a specific idea of the role I was hoping he’d take. I knew he was obsessed with recruiting and I loved his historical knowledge of the program, but more than anything there was just something about Craig Leighton as a person that I valued.
I was Class of '66, and got our season tickets in Year #2 of the Civic Center, which was Marvin's last season. So Craig and you and I are cut from the same cloth. I'm 78 years old now, and starting to slow down. But since the Pitino years I've always rooted for the Friars to win the National Championship. When I met Ed Cooley after his 1st season I was sure he would lead us to the top. He succeeded in everything but that in his 12 years at the helm; only Dave Gavitt had a bigger impact on the program, and that's pretty nice company to be in.
You and Craig have been to Friar fandom what Gavitt & Cooley did at the helm. Both of us think Kim English will surely be the man to take us to the top. I'm not sure if I'll be watching it here with you, or with Craig in "the Great Beyond", but I'll see it.
Your tribute to Craig was beautifully written. It gave me a much better picture of the man behind the stories. He will be greatly missed, but his articles will assure that he will never be forgotten. Nor, for that matter, will you ever be forgotten, that's for sure.
Thanks to the both of you for enriching our lives, Barry Callahan
Sorry to hear of Craig's passing. I worked with Craig at the bank for many years. Wish I knew any family, but he never talked of them much, and I never pushed to ask. May he RIP.
Great tribute now I see the State putting in his obituary today ProJo looking for family or friends The friar community should do something to give him a decent burial
Thanks Kevin -
I was Class of '66, and got our season tickets in Year #2 of the Civic Center, which was Marvin's last season. So Craig and you and I are cut from the same cloth. I'm 78 years old now, and starting to slow down. But since the Pitino years I've always rooted for the Friars to win the National Championship. When I met Ed Cooley after his 1st season I was sure he would lead us to the top. He succeeded in everything but that in his 12 years at the helm; only Dave Gavitt had a bigger impact on the program, and that's pretty nice company to be in.
You and Craig have been to Friar fandom what Gavitt & Cooley did at the helm. Both of us think Kim English will surely be the man to take us to the top. I'm not sure if I'll be watching it here with you, or with Craig in "the Great Beyond", but I'll see it.
Your tribute to Craig was beautifully written. It gave me a much better picture of the man behind the stories. He will be greatly missed, but his articles will assure that he will never be forgotten. Nor, for that matter, will you ever be forgotten, that's for sure.
Thanks to the both of you for enriching our lives, Barry Callahan
Craig is and will always be a legend. RIP to a true Friar Fanatic.
I looked forward to all his writings, sorry for the loss of your friend/colleague.
Kevin. Wonderful Remembrance of Craig. I always enjoyed his articles. RIP
Sorry to hear of Craig's passing. I worked with Craig at the bank for many years. Wish I knew any family, but he never talked of them much, and I never pushed to ask. May he RIP.
I’m so sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. Thanks for providing an outlet for all of us to hear his great stories, Kevin.
Sorry for your loss Kevin, always appreciated Craig's Friar passion in his work for the site.
Great tribute to a great Friar Fan.😢🏀
So sorry for your loss
Great tribute now I see the State putting in his obituary today ProJo looking for family or friends The friar community should do something to give him a decent burial
I hope there is a way to make sure he is remembered and taken care of -
https://www.providencejournal.com/obituaries/ppvp0511028
So sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and will be sorely missed. RIP Craig.